Piano ballads of Western music—from timeless hits to the latest songs
The tones born from the piano—a percussion instrument and a string instrument—overflow with a charm that captivates the hearts of us Japanese and won’t let go.
When we think of popular music where the piano takes center stage—playing a bubbly melody when we’re happy and a tune that gently accompanies our hearts when we’re feeling down—it has to be ballads.
In this article, we bring together timeless masterpieces of piano-centered Western ballads, spanning from classic favorites to the latest hits, resonating across generations.
Enjoy a richly varied selection that transcends genres—not only classic piano-and-voice ballads, but also rock ballads, jazz, pop, and more.
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Piano Ballads of Western Music: From Classic Hits to the Latest Songs (1–10)
Because Of YouKelly Clarkson
“Because of You” is a 2005 song by Kelly Clarkson, who debuted from the popular American audition show American Idol.
The song, which expresses the pain she felt over her deteriorated relationship with her father, became a major hit, ranking high on charts around the world.
The grand piano is played to its fullest, producing a rich and powerful tone.
As a classic piano ballad, it’s a highly recommended track for anyone who hasn’t heard it yet!
HelloAdele
“Hello” is a single by British singer Adele, released in 2015.
It dominated the charts at number one in countries around the world and became a massive hit, selling 12.3 million copies globally.
The piano in “Hello” stays in a low register throughout, creating a weighty feel that matches the lyrics expressing the sorrow of “wanting to apologize to the person I hurt, but they won’t even pick up the phone.” Don’t you think the piano’s tone perfectly complements Adele’s powerful vocals?
If I Ain’t Got YouAlicia Keys
“If I Ain’t Got You” is a song by R&B singer Alicia Keys and one of her signature hits worldwide.
The album it appears on, The Diary of Alicia Keys, won the Grammy Award for Best Album.
Alicia’s piano playing is powerful yet delicate, mirroring qualities found in her voice.
The intro’s piano consists of a simple repeating phrase, which makes it very memorable and catchy.
Skinny LoveBirdy
“Skinny Love” is originally a song by the American band Bon Iver, and Birdy covered it in 2011, making it her first hit.
While the original is performed on acoustic guitar, Birdy’s version is played on piano.
The sound of the grand piano, which doesn’t resonate excessively, somehow feels sorrowful.
The recording technique even captures the sound of the pedal in motion, giving it a raw quality that makes you feel as if you’re listening to the song up close.
drivers licenseOlivia Rodrigo
‘drivers license,’ sung by Olivia Rodrigo, a singer-songwriter from California, is a hit that debuted at No.
1 on both the U.S.
and U.K.
singles charts.
Even as the chord sounds change, the piano keeps playing the same single note, creating a steady, understated sense of forward motion.
You might also feel that reducing the number of notes played simultaneously makes the chorus feel more expansive.
She was one of the most talked-about artists of 2021, so be sure to give it a listen!